From the ground up

In the Legislature

     We are coming up on our first funnel – March 3. This means all policy bills need to be through committee in order to be considered for the rest of the legislative session. The funnel is a deadline to help us focus on our priorities and move bills through the process so we can get Iowan’s work done on time. Therefore the last weeks of February will be extremely busy.

Traffic Cameras

     You may have heard about the traffic camera debate we are having around the Legislature. There are currently two bills moving through the committee process that relate to traffic cameras:

     SF 3, would eliminate traffic cameras altogether and SF 196 would regulate traffic cameras rather than remove them.

     I support SF 196 because the use of the cameras is supported by data relating to motor vehicle safety. Some of the specific points of SF 196 include:

     • Prohibits the DOT from employing automated traffic law enforcement systems to issue citations

     • Requires the DOT approve the operation of an automated traffic law enforcement system. They can only approve them if they are in a high incident area and there is a demonstrated safety need for the system

     • Requires that the money generated from these systems be deposited in accounts used for secondary or city road funds

     • Requires the DOT to approve each individual location in which a local authority places a mobile automated traffic law enforcement

     • Adds criteria for the DOT to use in determining whether to approve an automated traffic law enforcement system, such as volume of traffic, history of accidents, frequency of traffic violations, and risk to officers employing traditional traffic law enforcement methods

     • Requires that signs be posted in clear and present view of passing drivers in advance of the location of the system for both fixed and mobile systems

     • Requires that a peace officer review citations issued through the use of these systems

     • Requires weekly calibration of speed and traffic signal systems

Senate Considers Collective Bargaining Reform

     This week the senate introduced a bill that would reform collective bargaining in Iowa. This bill will change the way Iowa government does business.

     Collective bargaining reform is vital to improving our schools and government. Most importantly, it increases local control for each city, county, and school district in Iowa. These reforms provide the flexibility to keep the best employees. It removes mandates and gives local officials the freedom to innovate and create new policies to accomplish goals in their communities.

     For school boards, changes to collective bargaining will help them improve student achievement at every level. This will increase efficiency in local governments across Iowa and higher efficiency means better services at a lower cost to the taxpayer.

     This is a better deal for Iowans. It will expand career opportunities and economic growth in Iowa.